An orthopedic brace can be a very useful medical device when nursing or preventing an injury. The purpose of an orthopedic brace is to comfortably limit the movement of the patient’s body part, (ie. knee, lower back, wrist, elbow, ankle, etc) and to protect it from getting aggravated. In this article, we will focus on orthopedic knee braces.
There are many types of knee braces, however, it can be a difficult task in determining the right knee brace for your specific knee issue. At Revitamax Rehab & Wellness, our staff is well trained to determine the cause of your knee injury and recommend the right knee brace to address your knee pain in the best way possible.
When Should I Wear an Orthopedic Knee Brace?
Firstly, it is important to determine when a knee brace is right for you. Knee braces are typically recommended when you are having knee pain, to prevent injuries when the patient is involved in high contact sports or has a lifestyle or job that would place enough stress on the knee to aggravate it or prevent proper healing. Orthopedic knee braces can also be used during the rehab process whereby the patient is healing, such as from a knee surgery or an injury for which the patient is receiving physiotherapy or chiropractic therapy to address the problem.
The following knee conditions may benefit from use of an Orthopedic Knee Brace:
- Knee Arthritis
- Baker’s Cysts
- Chondromalacia Patella or Patella Femoral Pain Syndrome
- Knee Instability
- Knee Ligament Injuries or Ligament Reconstruction Surgery
- Meniscus Damage or Meniscus Reconstruction Surgery
- Osgood Schlatter Disease
- Patella Fracture
- Patella Subluxation
- Patellar Tendonitis
- Plica Syndrome
- Quadriceps Paresis and weakness
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Tendinosis
What Types of Knee Braces are Available?
The are various types of knee braces that are available, including Hinged, Compression/Sleeves, Wraparounds, Bands/Strips and Custom Knee Braces. Of these categories, there are knee braces that are designed to be best suitable for a particular type of condition. When you visit Revitamax Rehab & Wellness, one of our healthcare practitioners will be able to find the best knee brace for you by finding out the cause of your knee pain and recommending the best type of knee brace to accommodate your issue. Our therapists may also recommend therapy in conjunction with your orthopedic brace to help speed up recovery, improve pain and healing and to help restore function.
How Tight Should the Knee Brace Be?
In order for an orthopedic knee brace to do its job in protecting the knee, it needs to feel somewhat tight. The device provides compression to the knee, however, it should feel comfortable and provide enough support to cater to your needs. If the knee brace feels too tight and you have the feeling that it is cutting off circulation, the knee brace is too tight. When you are looking to get sized for an orthopedic knee brace, one of our therapists at Revitamax Rehab & Wellness will size you appropriately to find a size of knee brace that will be best for you.
Are Orthopedic Knee Braces Covered Under My Insurance Plan?
Many insurance plans will cover for orthopedic braces, such as knee braces. For an orthopedic knee brace to be covered by you insurance plan, it needs to be medically necessary and this will require a prescription from a family physician. The knee brace will also be required to be rigid or semi-rigid and may require certain characteristics. Most of the orthopedic knee braces at Revitamax Rehab & Wellness will have these characteristics that would be acceptable by most insurance companies.